Conservation Easement

What is a conservation easement?

It is a document, recorded at the Register of Deeds, which specifies how a property can be used by present and future owners. It may allow activities such as cattle grazing, farming, harvesting trees, planting trees and grass or building structures. It is a way to
preserve and/or enhance current uses of the property regardless of the property being a farm, wetland, prairie, woodland, open space or a combination of these. The easement may specify that the land be managed in its natural state with no further development.

What are the advantages to the landowner?

An easement is a way to insure that the land will be preserved for conservation purposes. In addition, the easement may provide a real estate tax advantage in that the real property is required by statute to be assessed “with due regard” to the restrictions placed on the land. The owner of the real property could anticipate a reduction in future real estate taxes.

How would I establish a conservation easement on my land?

The owner of the property may sell, donate, exchange or will the conservation easement to either a governmental body, or any
charitable corporation or trust whose purposes include protecting natural or scenic land. The Lower Platte South NRD is a governmental agency which currently holds several
conservation easements. Other organizations which may hold conservation easements are the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Platte River Trust, the Audubon Society or any incorporated city or county.